Measure from your C7 vertebrae (the one that sticks out from your neck) down your back in a straight line to the same level as the top of your hip bones. If you're between sizes, it is better to go with the smaller of the two sizes.

sizing chart

Details

Comfortable hiking for fun weekend trips.

The Black Diamond Element 60 Backpack holds all the essentials you need for a weekend trip and maybe some toys to play with while you're out in the wilderness, and it remains incredibly comfortable whether you're hiking a mere five miles or something much longer. Both the reActiv hip belt and the SwingArm shoulder straps move with
your body while you hike in order to give you a natural stride and
reduce the energy it takes to reach your destination. Unlike most
backpacks, you only need to set the straps and the belt once without
readjusting them on the trail because this pack ensures an ideal balance
at all times regardless of the terrain. Black Diamond molded the V-Lite
frame anatomically in order to fit your back comfortably.

Black Diamond constructed the Element out of a durable nylon with a
water-shedding finish and added an even more durable ripstop in key
areas to withstand tears and abrasions. The backpack also features a
floating top pocket that you can convert to a lumbar pack for day hikes
on your backpacking trip, a zippered front pocket with internal pockets
so you can organize all your gear, and a hip belt pocket for
any small item you might need while you hike like lip balm or
sunscreen. It also has a bottom zippered access so you can get to your
sleeping bag without taking everything else out of the pack.

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What a Versatile Pack!

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I just got back from a 160 mile trip on the Colorado Trail Collegiate Loop using the Element 60. There are lighter packs but what I liked about this one so much is the versatility. The outside flap unzips for easy access to rain jackets, pullovers, etc. All the normal stuff that you don't need until you camp fits inside. I loved being able to grab my rain jacket easily without rummaging through the entire pack. Very durable and worth a little extra weight.

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Superb, Stealthy, Versatile

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I have used this pack extensively for more than 1000 trail miles, mostly on the southern Appalachian Trail.

1. Absolute Genius side pockets. The number one best feature is the bellowed side pockets, easily opened and closed with one hand without contorting elbows and wrists. They are huge and hold everything on the trail. The cinch cord can be replaced easily when worn thin.

2. Superb choice of fabrics. The side pocket and front pockets are made of the same tough fabric, and not made of mesh that always snags on things or stretch fabric that eventually sags.

3. Decent and flexible back panel. The plastic framesheet is fully sewn in between the back padding and inside fabric layer. The frame is a removable 1/8 inch spring steel rod shaped around the inside perimeter and attached with sleeves and Velcro tabs. The frame is just rigid enough to maintain shape with lighter loads, but the frame is maybe a bit too flexible so that the lumbar bows out with heavier loads. However, this flexibility allows the back panel to conform perfectly to the body and you can easily just wiggle the pack into shape.

4. The lumbar pad is soft, comfortable, and supportive, as are the shoulder straps. However, the least favorite feature is the single yoke attachment that combines both shoulder straps. It does take getting used to and, if not fitted just right, can be a little annoying or chaffing on the shoulders. With a smaller neck I have little problem, but I imagine a larger neck would not fit well. I would prefer no yoke and to have each shoulder strap attach directly to the pack.

6. Looks good without lid, has two collar cinches. I usually put lid inside pack and cinch the bottom collar to give the sleek design on top. However, the front straps that attach the lid are long will have to be stowed somewhere, like in the side pockets.

7. Voluminous lid with good sling straps. I have used the lid for many day hikes, often for three hours or more. Fits everything for a day and slings well over one shoulder.

8. Light. You get a lot of bang (capacity and comfort) for the low weight. On my scale the main pack mass is 1499 g (52.9 oz) and the lid mass is 161 g (5.7 oz).

9. Sizing is just good enough for the tall and skinny. I am 5'11" with 21" torso and 32" waist. The size L fits the torso perfectly (size M was too tight), but the waistbelt has to be cinched most of the way, which means I'd better not lose weight! A removable/interchangeable hipbelt is preferred.

10. Overall, the best pack with the best feature set I have ever carried. View: https://youtu.be/SGPLzKz-Bxs and https://youtu.be/YecSSy2Ovvc

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Everything I had hoped for

My wife got this for me as a Christmas present and I have to say I'm extremely impressed. Love the suspension system and the swing arm feature really allows the pack to move with you. It has more than enough room for all your gear and for those who do the alpine summits, it is very streamline if you want it to be. The only thing I would say it could have more of is pouches on the hip belt. There's 2 of them that will fit a small cell/gps or snacks. Hydration pouch held my 2L bag well. One thing I really liked was the side pouches for crampons/water/ anything else that you wanted. They were very accessible with the pack on and easy to synch tight while walking. Overall this is an awesome pack and really exceeds my expectations. Can't wait for our trip to Mt Baldy.

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Comfortable, Spacious, & Tough

Familiarity: I've used it several times

Recently, I purchased this pack for a multi-day backpacking trip in New Hampshire. I absolutely love the design, build, and performance of this pack. I was gone for several days with plenty of clothes for changing weather conditions, and the pack simply performed great. It's water resistant with a DWR finish and ripstop coating, so when it started to drizzle and I didn't have a rain cover on, everything was absolutely bone dry, and the pack simply shook off the rain. It's durable, too; I don't even know what it would take to break down on a trip. As for capacity, the pack feels cavernous with one huge main pocket. I definitely filled it to the brim preparing for 5 days away, but I had no problem with gear. I didn't have to carry a tent, but the bag fit everything internally: a sleeping pad, 20 degree sleeping bag, several pairs of shoes (it was a water trip), and all of my clothes (in compression sacks), to give you an idea of its size. I love the water bottle pockets on the outsides (I can't say this enough: the design in novel and awesome), and the pack has hydration routing, too, if you need it. As for hiking, it's really comfortable, and the design of the straps helps the weight pack balance across one's shoulders across uneven terrain. I'm 5'10", 190 lb, pretty broad shouldered, and the L size pack felt a touch big, but the straps took care of me regardless. There are plenty of external straps and loops if you need them, and the bag has lots of pockets; I especially like the exterior-access pocket that makes the front of the pack easy to get to. Great pack all around. Love the design, look, durability, and performance.

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Bust it out for the big ones

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I was looking for a comfortable, light, and very durable pack fit for mountaineering, long canyoneering trips, and general backpacking. It really fits the bill for all 3. I just got back from a 3 day trip to Mt. Rainier where it performed excellent and was extremely comfortable, even when consistently lugging about 40 lbs. of gear like mountaineering boots, 200 ft. of rope, various camping supplies, ice axe, etc. The swing arm technology is a winner and the various pockets/features are really easy to access. It is also very resistant to water. Well worth every penny. Great job Black Diamond!

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Great Ruck!

Familiarity: I've used it several times

I just had lower back surgery and had been experimenting with other UL Backpacks and they just didn't have anything to offer as far as lower lumbar comfort. The Element 60 was a gamble that paid off big for me on helping me and my gear reach a summit that had eluded me for 4 years (Glacier Peak in Washington State). The suspension built in to the backpack was key, it moved with me and not against me as the UL packs had done and I had no back pain what so ever with this Pack and now my extended ventures are much more enjoyable. The shoulder padding does lose it's comfort after about 35 lbs, anything under that and it handles great. The other main feature that I really like is the Huge outer pocket on the back where I can quickly load and unload my BD HiLight Tent and Vestibule without having to open the main compartment of my pack and expose the rest of my gear to rain and snow. The only thing missing is a pocket on the shoulder straps for a media device. Great job guys on the pack!

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1500 miles VA to ME

After spending a couple months physically attached to something, you will either love it, or hate it emphatically. In the case of this pack, I love it emphatically. I have hiked for thousands of smiles with external frames, swiveling hipbelts, and now this Element. It took a little bit of getting used to how the pack flexed with each stride, but once it was broken in over a couple weeks, I really started to like it. The hip belt stayed tight, the organization is dope simple, its strapped and tapped to do anything, and really light empty. I switched to this after 700 miles of a different pack, and the + 2 lb reduction in base weight from this pack compared to the other one was felt instantly. After a few hundred miles it started to stink, but other than that it was so comfortable I noticed the nature and weather and animal sounds with much greater intensity. Oh, that's strange is there everything I need to live and be happy in the woods hanging off my shoulders without causing me egregious discomfort? Oh yes, it's this pack! Thanks Black Diamond, you made a winner with this one. (Just don't crush it, or use it to brace a fall down a small ravine and it'll do fine)